CFK, Biden among political leaders expected at Brazil World Cup

The Brazilian government is counting on a strong presence from world leaders during the football World Cup, which kicks off in the nation on June 12. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US vice-president Joe Biden are among the dignitaries expected to attend.

Sources from the Planalto Palace, the presidential seat in Brazil, predicted that CFK was practically certain to visit during the competition. Chile Michelle Bachelet and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia were also mentioned by Bandeirantes as leaders from South America who would be in attendance.

Biden would head a US delegation to the tournament, which will take place in cities across Brazil, and would arrive in the north-eastern city Natal on June 16 to watch his nation face Ghana.

It would be the first such contact between the two nations since the NSA spying revelations strained relations in 2013.

"I will be honoured by the visit, which will increase Brazil's prestige," President Dilma Rousseff revealed when questioned over a possible meeting with Biden.

Russia's Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, could also be among the dignitaries taking in next month's football extravaganza. The politician, in the spotlight worldwide due to the ongoing crisis in eastern Ukraine, could combine a visit with a summit involving the other nations who make up the BRICS group - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.